The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting public comment on proposed management changes to further reduce bycatch of non-target species and minimize ecosystem impacts. Draft Amendment 2 to the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan contains a suite of management options that range broadly from status quo to a complete closure of all inside waters, including Pamlico Sound, to shrimp trawling.

The public may comment on Draft Shrimp Amendment 2 in three ways:

Sign Up to Speak at an Advisory Committee Meeting – Public comment will be accepted at three Marine Fisheries Commission Advisory Committee meetings scheduled for June 15, 16, and 17 (follow the link below). Those who wish to speak at the meetings must register by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting.
Submit Online Comments – Public comments will be accepted through an online form until 5 p.m. on June 30. Click here to submit comments online.
Mail Comments – Written comments may be mailed to Draft Shrimp FMP Amendment 2 Comments, P.O Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments must be received by the division 5 p.m. on June 30.

Three Marine Fisheries Commission Advisory Committee meetings are scheduled to review and accept public comment on Draft Shrimp Amendment 2. Meeting links and agendas are available on the Marine Fisheries Commission Advisory Committees Meetings webpage.

More specifics on the Draft Shrimp Amendment 2 can be found on the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 Information webpage.

The Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to consider public comment and advisory committee input and select its preferred management measures for departmental and legislative review at its August business meeting and give final approval of the amendment in November 2021.